The Sixers just keep rolling.
With a 113-94 win over the shorthanded Warriors, Philadelphia extended its win streak to five games-and they did it without their two biggest names. Joel Embiid sat out due to injury management, and Paul George was serving a suspension.
On the other side, Golden State was missing Stephen Curry, Jonathan Kuminga, and Jimmy Butler, all sidelined with injuries. So, yes, this one had a different feel from your typical Sixers-Warriors showdown.
But that didn’t stop Philly from putting together one of its most complete team efforts of the season.
The Sixers controlled most of the night, save for a brief second and third-quarter stretch when the Warriors made things interesting with a 17-2 run. But even then, Philly never looked panicked. And when the dust settled, it was the Sixers’ depth-and a couple of breakout performances-that told the story.
VJ Edgecombe Shows Out
Let’s start with VJ Edgecombe, who bounced back in a major way after a quiet night against the Clippers. The rookie looked every bit the part of a future star, dropping 25 points on 11-of-20 shooting, along with 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 2 steals. It wasn’t just the numbers-it was the way he got them.
Edgecombe was confident and composed, especially in the paint. He found his rhythm early, opening with a smooth step-back jumper going to his left, then slicing through the defense for a tough layup in traffic.
In the second quarter, he blew past Al Horford for another easy bucket and drilled a pull-up three over Draymond Green. That’s not an easy shot for anyone, let alone a rookie.
He kept his foot on the gas in the third, drawing contact and finishing through it-crossing up De’Anthony Melton and then converting a difficult layup over Green. Moments later, he knocked down a catch-and-shoot three, showing off his growing versatility.
Edgecombe saved some of his flash for the fourth, including a strong take against his Bahamian national teammate Buddy Hield, finishing with his left and letting Hield know about it afterward. It was the kind of performance that makes you forget he’s still just a rookie. He played with poise, aggression, and a little bit of swagger-exactly what the Sixers needed with their stars out.
Trendon Watford’s Steady Impact
While Edgecombe brought the fireworks, Trendon Watford brought the glue. His stat line-16 points on 7-of-13 shooting, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks-only tells part of the story. Watford’s point-forward skills were a stabilizing force, especially in the first half when Tyrese Maxey couldn’t find his shot.
With Watford running the show during a key stretch, the Sixers went on a 20-4 run to blow the game open. His ability to drive, draw defenders, and finish around the rim gave Philly’s second unit a huge lift. He also found ways to contribute as the game wore on, including a deep three in the fourth quarter that pushed the lead past 20 and effectively ended any hopes of a Golden State comeback.
Watford isn’t flashy. His game can look unorthodox at times.
But his impact is undeniable. He plays with a high IQ, knows when to attack, and rarely forces the issue.
On a night when Maxey struggled for three quarters and Embiid and George were unavailable, Watford’s presence was invaluable.
Team Effort, Next-Man-Up Mentality
This was a “next man up” game in every sense. Maxey eventually got going in the fourth, but it was the bench that carried the load for much of the night.
Adem Bona gave the Sixers a strong interior presence in his minutes, while Quentin Grimes found his stroke from deep. It was the kind of collective performance that builds confidence in a locker room-and shows just how deep this Sixers team really is.
The Bell Ringer standings reflect that depth. Maxey still leads the pack, but Edgecombe and Watford are climbing, and nights like this are why. When your stars are out and you still win by nearly 20 on the road, it says something about your culture-and your ceiling.
The Sixers are finding different ways to win, and that’s dangerous for the rest of the league.